The Design Space Exploration: Simplified Case

In this chapter, the design space exploration is exposed and explained as the main tool to get an optimized design of a fully integrated switching power converter. The converter output voltage ripple is used to constraint the design space, while the merit figure to be optimized is defined as the power efficiency versus the occupied silicon area ratio. Additionally, an overall structure of the design space exploration including particular optimizations for each component design is proposed. Then, simplified models for the converter integrated components (i.e. inductor, capacitor, power drivers and power transistors) are presented, as well as an analytical output ripple model that takes into account the output capacitor Equivalent-Series-Resistance (ESR). Finally, the design space exploration optimization procedure is exemplified by means of the design of a classical Buck converter, where the simplified components models are used.